Important complications of acute pericarditis include chronic recurrent pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis and pericardial effusion with or without cardiac tamponade.

Patients with chronic recurrent pericarditis usually have a history of pleuritic chest discomfort over weeks to years that is positional in character. Typically, these patients will experience several courses of anti-inflammatory drug therapy. The physical signs of pericarditis during recurrent episodes are frequently subtle and less prominent than at the time of the first attack.